Pesticides may damage brain, study says

A study published today in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Health says pesticides used widely in the European Union have the potential to cause developmental toxicity in developing brains.

The paper (PDF) is actually based on exposures measured in the U.S. population, and says such measurements have not been done in Europe. It goes on:

One out of twenty food items is known to exceed a current EU legal limit for an individual pesticide. Further, over 25 percent of fruits, vegetables, and cereals contain detectable residues of at least two pesticides. Processed food and baby food are also commonly contaminated. In addition, other sources, such as contaminated drinking water, dusts and spray drift contribute to human exposures.

It concludes:

While awaiting more definite evidence, existing uncertainties should be considered in light of the need for precautionary action to protect brain development.

The news comes as the Environment Committee of the European Parliament is considering banning some pesticides. We learned about this from a release from a non-profit called the International Policy Network, which describes itself as promoting market solutions and free trade. The group today issued a statement by an emeritus professor of pathology, one Sir Colin Berry, that says in part: